Today, my daughter-in-law texted me and informed me that the doctors suggested that they start hospice. She said that my son, Brian is having a hard time processing this and she wanted to contact me but, he would when he could wrap his mind around this.

I asked her how she was processing and she replied that she was okay but worried about her two sons of eleven and almost thirteen.

I told her that I still had hope beyond what the doctors say. She said she did too until this morning. Now, she has none.

How do I help? They like their privacy. My instinct is to rush down and help any way that I can. Yet, they have always been so very private. Enjoying their little 4 person nest.

I am thinking of this as my aunt just went into a medical care facility today and a cousin who was caring for her has just been hospitalized and is confused. A childhood classmate/co-worker, has had a setback from a stroke he experienced in June after showing much improvement. My cousin is struggling with caring for her husband who is basically bed/wheelchair ridden, while she, herself, has afib that they can’t get to the bottom of and now her 4 year old grandson has bone cancer and started treatment. Our brother-in-law had a stroke a couple weeks ago and they thought he was on his death bed but just the last day or so, has started showing some improvement.

These are all huge challenges of people I hold dear. How do I help? I pray, I listen, I get emotional. I pray, “If you will…please heal. Help me, if I have any unbelief.”

Until I hear otherwise, I will continue to have hope for these I hold dear.

This last Monday, I was able to chaperone for my daughter’s fourth grade class and another fourth grade class.

As their school bus rolled in, I enjoyed watching the kids bound out, chatting, excited, laughing. Eager to see what the rangers had in store for them.

The DNR rangers had an array of activities and did an awesome job. They encouraged them to see the world around them with all their senses.

The kids were pure joy.

I was sad to see them go, but they had an hour bus ride back to school.

I so appreciate my daughter inviting me to chaperone. The kids asked if I could come to their classroom. I hope I get that opportunity in the future.

Kids are so fun and we,who get a chance to spend time with them are definitely the lucky ones.

We want the very best for our kids. We cheer them on to be the best that they can be. We do whatever we can to make life easier for them. Yet, there are times that what they need is beyond what we can give.

This is a blog post by my son,

https://thekirbygang.com/essay.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR38v6dS8vVUtCaBrbNgFMDkqB7_GAh2J38BsVoixNfqQuE0OzMUnUV3azw_aem_Tis4kgAdmaaHu-AjJN0gPQ

Sometimes, we must remind ourselves that we are the Lucky Ones despite what the world throws at us. Despite the pain. God is good regardless of what goes on in this world.

Yesterday, was a fun day for me. I went to Bible study, which was awesome. Ladies sharing how God has answered their prayers, sometimes in ways opposite of their requests, was truly amazing.

After Bible study, I went with my sister-in-law and two other ladies, to Elk Rapids to visit another lady friend, Nancy, that we haven’t seen in awhile. Everywhere Nancy lives, she creates a home with harmony and beauty. While there, we sat on her deck, enjoying each other’s company and a potluck lunch. Nancy had invited a new neighbor to join us.

Her neighbor was such a joy to visit with, yet she had struggles of her own. Losing her best friend/mother this year has taken a toll on her faith. Moving to Elk Rapids with her husband from Chicago and struggles within her marriage, has put her in a low state. Despite this, even though her faith is shaken, she still has stories of God’s faithfulness. I am thankful that she ended up next to Nancy. Nancy will wrap her arms of hospitality and love around her and build her back up. Maybe God will arrange for us to meet again.

I love that about the friendships that God orchestrates. Friendships that build each other up. He truly is an amazing God. I pray that we all have eyes that see His intervention in everything we do and see.

Time just goes so quickly these days. This summer has just flown by and I can’t say that we’ve done anything exciting. Except for!!!! Our kids were here for Independence Day and that was such a blessing.

I have been trying to keep the weeds at bay in our garden to no avail. Even still, we are slowly starting to reap a harvest. I am thankful.

I have to admit that I have gotten side-tracked by things that are just time-stealers. As quickly as we have gotten to August, I must value each precious moment. Now, is the time to regroup, reorganize and take advantage of each moment.

I do thank the Lord for carrying me through the mountain tops of excitement, the valleys of sorrow and even the bland days. He has made them all.

He is faithful, always. Despite my looking away briefly and being overtaken by the evil in this world…He pulls me back. Pulls back my attitude, my fear, my wrong thinking.

I praise Him today that when I allow Him to direct my path…then, I have peace and my days are productive and filled with joy. THEN, we are the Lucky Ones. 🙂

Sometimes, life causes you to contemplate. This is an activity that I, personally engage in frequently. No one is immune to hard or difficult times. I know that I have experienced a few. Yet, they seem so trivial compared to some.

I’ve been thinking about life recently. There are many things in this life that I find hard to explain.

Friends that have lost loved ones way too soon. My daughter-in-law’s cancer, a friend’s husband, falling asleep driving, crashing and as a result has numerous injuries, a young man that I worked with has gone through chemo and radiation for brain cancer and now, has an additional tumor on his brain. The new treatment has left him with no mobility, a classmate experiencing a stroke while camping and his life will never be the same. These are just to name a few.

Some people ask “why?”. Some, take what they have been given and deal with it with such courage and optimism.

Jesus said that in this life we would have trouble. There is much trouble in this world. I am appalled at what goes on in our country politically. It seems that those who are underhanded always win. I am disturbed that people think killing an unborn child is their right. They have changed the wording from killing (murdering)an unborn child to abortion and now to reproductive health. There is nothing healthy about abortion. It is not good for the woman or the child. It has devastating effects on the mother.

As some are dealing with sickness and loss, doing their best to survive. Political candidates are using babies as a bargaining chip for more votes. Rather than finding better funding and ways for couples with the inability to birth their own children to adopt. They would rather kill these precious little ones. Why is this not a crime? Abortion is big business. Don’t for a second think that the politicians pushing it, think it’s better for you. They get big money for themselves. My own state has the most radical abortion rights in the country. This saddens me beyond measure.

These are things that cause pain in my heart. Yet, I am not without hope. Hope in humankind? No. Hope in the Everlasting God. He never said that He would take us out of the evil of this world, but that He would be with us through it.

I have the hope that even though I feel that this world will continue on a downward spiral, there is The One that will give me strength to carry on until He feels I should be with Him.

In conclusion, I must realize that we are the “lucky ones” with every breath we take. Being grateful for all we have. Doing what God wants us to and loving our neighbors as ourselves.

Life is a gift.

As I have been reflecting recently, I continue to be in awe of God!

As I read Scripture, I am amazed. We often don’t put everything together. If you pay attention, you see a God who foretells what He will do. It may be years before it takes place, but it happens just the same. Just as He said.

I wonder, when the Israelites didn’t see God’s prophecy, did they decide then, not to obey because it took too long or were they just too interested in their own everyday lives.

Last Sunday, in Sunday school, the man who leads it, pointed out that there are over 1,000 times that God said, “if”. “If” you follow me, the following will result…but, “If” you don’t, the following will result.

The teacher asks who does this apply to, us or God. Most people said, us, because He gives us a choice. I believe both. Not only does He give us a choice, but also, it allows us to see part of God’s character. That what He says, stands. He gives us boundaries to make our lives better and to do His will. His ways are always right.

I see God in everything. In the choir of birds, singing to their Maker…in the clouds, as He rides on the clouds. As I watch the leaves blowing in the wind, it not only reminds me of His Spirit but also the intricate detail that He creates in the growth of new life.

He said that in this life, we would have trouble but in Him, is fullness of joy. I am thankful that even in hard times, we can have fullness of joy.

Recently, I have had some things that have brought me joy.

Getting a video chat with my son and his family on Mother’s Day.

The kindness of my brothers to me. Recently, my eldest brother worked up my garden area. I am so very thankful. He is always so busy and he took the time to do this for us. My second eldest brother is very good about “checking in” to see how I’m doing. This is not something that I am good at. So, I appreciate this about him.

Seeing my nephew, his family and his mother and father-in-laws, and our niece at church.

Having the awesome privilege of meeting a dear friend, sharing a walk, lunch and precious conversation. How I have missed her so!

My daughter-in-law having her parents come for a visit. I am happy for her.

Seeing my longtime friend, her beautiful daughter, her Mom and siblings and meeting her granddaughter, at her granddaughter’s graduation open house.

Jesus gives me the hope everyday, but when He orchestrates meetings with nature and people. This brings much joy to my heart and all I can say is, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow”! 😊